Ombudsman for Children Dr Niall Muldoon has said the Government exercises too little oversight over schools to allow for the advancement and protection of children’s rights within the education system.
Speaking at the launch of his office’s annual report, Mr Muldoon said 45% of complaints related to education with the majority of these specifically related to schools.
"The autonomy afforded to Irish schools means that the Government has not been able to exercise the necessary responsibility and oversight in the sector and that it is time to re-calibrate the balance between the autonomy of schools and the oversight by Government to advance and protect children's rights within the education system," Dr Muldoon said.
Speaking afterwards on RTÉ’s Today with Sean O'Rourke, Mr Muldoon said there is a time when the Department of Education has to step-in and assist in certain cases.
Sometimes there are occasional school boards, principals perhaps, who would ignore recommendations in relations to children's rights and you need someone of a higher level to step in. When the Department is unable to do that, then there is a gap in the rights of the child.
There was an 8% increase in the number of complaints received by the Ombudsman overall last year. There has been a 30% increase in complaints over the past five years.
There was successful interaction between the office and 850 children and young people in 2015.
One-quarter of complaints related to Family Support, Care and Protection, making it the second largest category.
The management of child protection concerns were the most regularly raised issues within this category.
Dr Muldoon complained that there were repeated and significant delays on the part of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, in dealing with these complaints, adding that delays are unfair to children and to others who complain on their behalf.
Regarding health, he said many parents had highlighted the challenges of obtaining services for their children, especially children with disabilities.
The report also highlights that the Government has still not delivered on last February's agreement in principle to extend his office's remit to Direct Provision centres.
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